György Ligeti (1923-2006)

Le Grand Macabre (1974 -1977)

opera in two acts, four scenes


stage work

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1974 - 1977
      Revision dates: 1996
    • Duration: 2 h
    • Publisher: Schott, nº ED 8522
    • Libretto (details, author):

      livret de Michael Meschke et György Ligeti d'après Michel de Ghelderode, La Balade du Grand Macabre

Detailed formation
  • soloists: 4 solo sopranos, 2 solo mezzo-sopranos, 2 solo tenors, 5 solo baritones, solo bass voice
  • mixed choir
  • 3 flutes (also 2 piccolos), 3 oboes (also 1 oboe d'amore, 1 English horn), 3 clarinets (also 1 Eb clarinet, 1 alto saxophone, 1 bass clarinet), 3 bassoons (also 1 contrabassoon), 4 horns, 4 trumpets [en do] (also 2 piccolo trumpets [en ré, at lib.] ), bass trumpet, 3 trombones [ténor, ténor-basse, contrebasse] , contrabass tuba, 4 percussionists, timpani, 3 harmonicas, harp, mandolin, celesta (also harpsichord), piano (also electronic/MIDI keyboard/synthesizer), electric organ (also organ [régal] ), 3 violins, 2 violas, 6 cellos, 4 double basses

Premiere information

  • Date: 12 April 1978
    Location:

    Suède, Stockholm, opéra royal


    Performers:

    Elgar Howarth : direction, Michael Meschke : mise en scène, Aliute Meczies : décors et costumes.

  • Date: 28 July 1997
    Location:

    Autriche, Salzburger Festspiele


    Performers:

    Esa-Pekka Salonen : direction, Peter Sellars : mise en scène, George Tsypin : décors, Dunya Ramicova : costumes, James F. Ingalls : lumière.